Uh, yah ... ME too! My challenges with clutter seem to be much bigger since having children. In my younger days I moved alot, so I automatically kept things light. But two kids later and I'm blown over by how much they come with (clothes, supplies, toys, toys, toys ...) and how fast that stuff exponentially multiplies! Some days it literally makes me feel like I'm going crazy! And it turns out there's some practical feng shui reasons for that. Check out these feng shui thoughts about clutter and it's effects and then read on for an opportunity to join me in a clutter clearing work group!! - Clutter collects where energy has stagnated in a space (and then it causes more stagnation ...) - The goal of feng shui is to allow chi or vital life energy to flow through a space and nourish the habitants leaving them feeling energized and inspired .. but clutter slows it down and creates stagnation, leaving the habitants feeling sluggish, confused and uninspired. - If something brings your energy down, it's clutter ... If you love it or use it then it's not clutter - The clutter can effect different areas of your life (wealth, love, career, creativity, health ...) depending on where it's accumulating in your space. - It doesn't matter if you hide the clutter in your attic, shed, closet or drawer ... it's still there and still affecting the energy flow of your space and to you. - In feng shui, your home is considered a mirror of your inner self, so clutter, confusion, and inactivity in the home show that something similar is going on inside of you. - Imagine everything you keep in your home is attached to you by an energetic string (it is .... really) and now imagine walking around all day dragging all of it with you (Oh, no wonder I'm so tired all the time!)

It's amazing to consider the effect that the stuff we keep has on our well-being. Without a doubt what has always worked for me is to move on what I no longer love/use/need as soon as possible ... and to surround myself with things I love. Needless to say, I've fallen a little behind lately on the moving stuff on part! (Have you been struggling with it too?) I'm ready to clear some clutter of my own (well, mostly the clutter that came with my kids!) ... I have a plan to tackle the clutter we're keeping and you're invited to join me and tackle some clutter of your own:

The 4 Week Feng Shui "Clear Your Clutter With Ease, Grace and Support" Work Group begins on Tuesday, May 22. During this 4 week program, we'll discuss what clutter is, the reasons we collect and tolerate it, the emotions behind keeping stuff, and its physical and emotional impact on us. We'll talk about why we keep what we keep, have so much trouble letting it go, and why you may need it (for now anyway).Each week we'll address a different area of the house. We'll discuss the "stuff" that's accumulated in each area, and determine what's supporting us and what's holding us back. We’ll practice techniques that will help you discover how your possessions are really making you feel. You’ll see how to easily make the decision of what to keep, and what to let go of. Then we'll make a plan to tackle each area at a gentle pace ... with the ultimate goal of surrounding ourselves only with things we love and that love us back! Participants will get feng shui tips, guidance and coaching on adjustments to make in their life/space to move forward in every area of their life. There will be lots of accountability (and homework!) for those who join ... but also plenty of support ... and I promise it will be a break-thru for all involved. Join me! Tuesdays, May 22 - June 12, from 7-9pm at 783 Washington Street in Holliston. There are only 4 spacesavailable in this Work Group. I'm keeping it small so everyone gets personal attention. We'll be a small group that clears away BIG clutter!My Mother's Day Special to you: Register and pay in full by Mother's Day (May 13) and pay only $120 (a savings of 25%!) Click HERE for more details and registration information.~Kerri

Speaking Engagement Opportunities wanted!Do you need a speaker who can inspire your group or audience with a unique topic? I LOVE talking about Feng Shui and would be pleased to create a presentation for your friends, membership group or professional chapter. Attendees will interact, have fun and leave with plenty of valuable information that they can implement immediately in their homes and businesses! Call me at 508-440-9357 or send me an email if you would like to know more.Here are a few Feng Shui related topics to choose from:"Discover YOUR Feng Shui""Feng Shui for Desks, Cubicles and Offices""Got Clutter?""Feng Shui for Kid's Spaces""Feng Shui for Health"

Lately I've been following up all of my Feng Shui consultations by sending the client a summary and suggested checklist of adjustments and enhancements to help improve the flow and feel of their space. I call it a checklist, but it's really more of a long term plan for creating good Feng Shui and supporting the client's goals... And it's been a BIG hit. I've had so much great feed back on how useful this is for the client to have ... And I might be guessing here but it seems like people implement more now that the checklist is included.

I have one client that started on the list before I even got it to her (she had taken notes during my visit). Another client took the list and completed everything on it in just a few weeks! (She was inspired!). And others take the list and work on it over time, at a pace that feels right to them. They might put it away for a while, and then pull it out again and check off a few things when they are feeling a bit stuck. The checklist has turned out to be a valuable tool to leave people with.

I realized recently that even though I've been applying Feng Shui in my own life for years, I've never given myself a checklist. I suppose in the past (aka before having kids!) I never needed a list to work from. I could feel something out of place and had the time to make changes. Or I could make a mental note of it and get back to it later. Now, my time, my mind, (and most of my home) are not my own. My "mental notes" and internal checklist get garbled in with feeding schedules, nap times and unexpected messes. When I finally find the time to act on something, I've long forgotten what I wanted to change! Just like many of my clients, I'm in the thick of "it" (life/work/whatever) and have lost sight of the goal.

So now I've given myself a checklist ... It's been like throwing myself a life preserver! I have a vision and a plan to make it happen (probably not today!) and that is so empowering to have. I don't have to rethink it everytime I have a spare moment (but of course I can always edit it!) There are no deadlines attached to it. Some of it may never get done. But I've already started here and there ... and that's farther than I've been in a long time! YAY!!

So ... If you were going to make up your own checklist for making your home feel better and be more supportive of you ... what would your top 3 "to do's" be? Feel free to share your top 3 in the comments section ... and add in any tips you have on how you keep your head above water while riding the current of your life!

If you'd like more personal support I'm available for consultations by phone and on site. You'll get an action plan for your home/life/work and coaching support to make it happen! Schedule your consultation before the holidays so you can hit the ground running in 2012! Need a gift for the holidays? Gift certificates are available for all services. Email me for more details.

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Author

Kerri is the founder of Feng Shui Pathways (formerly Holistic Living Resources). Using a combination of tools including Feng Shui, Aromatherapy, Coaching, Organizing and Space Clearing she works with clients to create spaces that are comfortable, functional, supportive and inspiring. Kerri offers workshops and is available for speaking engagements on the topic of Feng Shui.